The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

300 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.able in all cases save in the Idstory of theman of prayer, in whose behalf the laws ofnature are liable to be held in check. Theremay be among Christian men considerablediversity in the clearness of apprehensionwith which they grasp the meaning of thedivine promise to answer prayer; but thereis no one taught by the Scriptures as to theprivilege of prayer, who thinks of it as implyingthat the laws of the universe are liableto be held in suspei~sion because the desiresof his heart are to God in humble,earnest supplication. The man trained to recognizethis truth affecting God's governmentthat l' He maketh His sun to rise on the eviland on the good; and sendeth rain on thejust, and on the unjust," does not readilyfall into the mistake of supposing that all thelaws of the universe are at His bidding, becauseof the divine encor~ragernento prayer.The Christian prays only under divine warrant,and this does not eonvey any such suggestion.First, then, we can clear away at once thecruder thoughts of the unintelligent believerin the power of prayer; and those of the scientificobjector to prayer, who is not instructed